Discriminatory tax policy

Bidi Sramik Federation forms human chain in Rajshahi

Sun Online Desk
28th May, 2018 04:57:41

Bidi Sramik Federation in Rajshahi has formed human chain demanding withdrawal of the discriminatory tax policy of the government to save local bidi industry of the country.

The human chain was organised infront of the office of the tax commissionerate at Uposhahor area in the city on Monday.

President of the Bidi Sramik Federation in Rajshahi region Abdul Matin, General Secretary Ashraful Islam, Labour leader Tarek Abdullah and Salahuddin spoke on the rally.

Bidi Sramik Federation leaders said that the discriminatory tax policy has been pushing the country’s bidi industry on the verge of ruin.

The government will have to take the responsibility of the lakhs of workers of Bidi industry if they become unemployed due to the discriminatory tax policy, they claimed.

They said Bidi industry is being protected in India by declaring it as a cottage industry. Tax for producing per thousand bidi in India is Tk 14 while it is Tk 252 in Bangladesh. This is completely unacceptable, they added.

Speakers also claimed that British American Tobacco (BAT) is siphoning off crores of taka evading taxes. But no action is visible against them (BAT). Rather, Bidi industries which create lakhs of employment by setting up industry are being forced to collapse by overtaxing.